Best Self Cleaning Litter Box

Did you know that cat litter boxes are not a “one size fits all” product? No two cats are exactly alike, and the same goes for cat litter boxes. The purpose of this article is to help you choose the best self cleaning litter box for your cat and your home.

Do you live with an elderly cat? Do you have more than one cat in your home? The right litter box for you and your family should be customized with features that cater to your situation, whether it be multiple cats or cats with special needs.

Many pet owners are currently living with unsightly, high-maintenance litter boxes that also have issues such as bad odor control and litter spillage. Does this sound like your situation?

Researching the many options for cat litter boxes can be a daunting task. This review list will help you to compare all of the features of ten products to find the best self cleaning litter box on the market, and also includes a quick guide for each product’s pros and cons.

The Litter Robot III

The Litter Robot III is the newest upgrade in the popular Litter Robot cat litter box series. In an innovative display of technology, the Litter Robot is equipped with a sensor and a timer that detect when the cat has exited the litter box, which in turn triggers the cleaning mechanism. The orb-shaped litter box then rotates, sifting the clumps away from the clean litter and depositing them into a separate waste area.

The timer sensor is adjustable, allowing for between three and seven minutes after your cat has exited the box to begin the cleaning cycle. The Litter Robot III includes an optional night light to assist older cats and a new indicator light to tell you when the waste drawer is full and needs to be emptied.

People who have tested this litter box love that cats seem to begin using this right away with no need to acclimate. Those who have purchased this also notice that this litter box is unsurpassed at eliminating cat litter odor, and they love the hands-off aspect of how the litter box functions.

Some people found that putting too much kitty litter in the Litter Robot III thwarted its performance and that some parts of the litter box needed to be replaced after a year or more of heavy use.

What we didn’t like

PetSafe Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box

The Petsafe Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box is an automatic litter box that, when used in conjunction with crystal cat litter, is a fully independent and odor-free waste disposal system for cats.

This litter box scoops and cleans cat litter for weeks at a time, with no need to change litter or reset the system in between. The automated system detects when cats have left the box, and after a safety period, the attached rakes do all the scooping.

This system works best with the use of crystal cat litter, and may not function as well with regular cat litter. The system comes with two disposable trays, but most people found that the Forever Tray (an additional purchase) created less waste and made the system more independent.

The PetSafe Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box comes with an attached hood, giving cats privacy and making it more attractive to have in the home. The box even has a health counter to track how often cats are using it.

Some users felt that the flap covering the waste area was a bit stiff, making access to that area difficult when the tray needed to be removed and dumped.

CatGenie Self-Washing Cat Box

The self-washing cat litter box from CatGenie is a complex cat litter box system which operates somewhat similarly to your own toilet. The CatGenie system actually removes waste completely, meaning you’ll never have to touch cat waste again.

Once the cleaning cycle begins, the CatGenie physically removes and liquefies pet waste, which is then drained into an area of your choice. Most users find that it’s most convenient to drain the waste into a toilet, although other drains, such as those sometimes found in laundry rooms, can also be used.

Once the waste is removed, the CatGenie system also washes the litter and dries it with a simple heating system, so your cat has a constant supply of fresh, clean litter. Many people truly benefit from the possibility of no longer purchasing cat litter regularly.

The waste disposal system requires a do-it-yourself hookup to a water source and a drain. This is a relatively simple undertaking, but some people might find it to be a bit much to set up on their own. The washable litter pellets are not standard cat litter, and some cats may have trouble getting used it.

What we liked

The only self-cleaning cat litter system that actually removes waste completely

Everything needed is included, no additional purchases necessary

Liquifies and drains waste so that you never need to touch or smell it

What we didn’t like

DIY setup may be a little complicated for some users

Not recommended for homes with more than two cats

Open-air design doesn’t allow privacy, which might not be ideal for all cats

PetSafe Self-Cleaning Litter Box

The PetSafe Self-Cleaning Litter Box is an alternate version of the PetSafe Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box, reviewed previously in this list. The two products are mostly the same, but there are some notable differences.

This particular model of litter box does not come with the privacy hood that is included with the “ultra” version. It also does not include the adjustable rake delay feature; the rake begins its cleaning function on a pre-set, non-changeable 20 minute delay.

The final difference is that this version of the PetSafe litter box does not include a health tracker, which is likely not a big issue if you have a younger cat or take your cat for regular vet checkups.

Aside from these differences, the two litter boxes are the same. This litter box automatically rakes waste from the litter box and deposits in a covered disposal area, which can be emptied every couple of weeks using the disposable tray.

As with the “ultra” model of this product, the entire system relies on the use of crystal litter rather than traditional clumping litter. There is evidence that suggests that cats prefer traditional litter, so this might be an issue for some people and their pets.

PetSafe Simply Clean Self-Cleaning Litter Box

The PetSafe Simply Clean litter box is basic in its design and very user-friendly, making it for people looking for a simple and smooth transition from traditional litter boxes.

This litter box has an open design and works with all types of pet litter, so you will not have to switch to crystal litter if your cat prefers the clumping type. The circular box rotates to gather clumped litter and disposes of it in a waste area that can be lined with reusable grocery bags, so no additional products purchases are necessary.

This box only needs to be cleaned every two weeks and comes with a one year warranty. It is not recommended for cats larger than fifteen pounds. Because there is no guard to prevent litter spraying, this litter box might not be ideal for cats who kick at their litter when they use their litter box.

There have been issues with decreased motor function over time with this product, but users report that PetSafe replaces the motors with no hassle and this litter box remains highly reviewed despite the problem.

What we liked

Easy to set up and easy to empty and clean

Works with clumping cat litter, which many cats love

Reusable grocery bags, common in every home, make great liners for the waste bin

Modkat Top-Entry Litter Box

The Modkat Litter Box is an ingenious litter box targeted toward the specific issue of litter tracking. Many cats spray litter or track it throughout the home when they use the litter box, and the Modkat box is designed to eliminate tracking completely.

This top-entry litter box is deep enough to prevent sprayed litter from escaping, while the lid is essentially a doormat that will catch any litter stuck on a cat’s feet when they exit. As a bonus, the sleek design of the Modkat box makes it a customer favorite; its modern and minimalist design fits in with any home’s decor.

To clean the lid, you simply tilt it inwards toward the box and any litter that is on top of it will fall neatly inside. This litter box comes with a reusable liner, which is fitted so that it stays in place within the base.

Many cats like the prospect of hopping into an empty box, and this product relies on that instinct to help make it functional. Top-entry litter boxes might not be for every cat, but most are intrigued by this product and take to it very naturally.

What we liked

Reduces or eliminates tracking, a problem with many cats

Beautiful, sleek design makes this box one of the more aesthetically attractive on the market

Works with any kind of cat litter

Reusable liner lasts three or more months

What we didn’t like

This box could tip over if not filled with enough litter to weigh it down

The top-entry aspect of this product might not be ideal for older cats

Modkat Flip Litter Box

Another sleek and ergonomic offering from Modkat, the Flip Litter Box stops litter spray and tracking, even in multiple-cat homes. This is a front-entry litter box that cats seem to naturally want to explore and use.

The unique lid of this litter box flips into three different positions to allow for varying degrees of privacy. The sides of the box are higher than most, making this a perfect option for cats who like to pee in different directions.

This litter box comes in three package options: the one-pack, which includes the litter box and one reusable liner, the one-pack bundle, which includes two liners, a scoop and a litter mat, or a two-pack, which is two boxes and two liners.

The Modkat Flip Litter Box is made of rigid, durable plastic. It is simple to wipe down and easy to wash. This litter box is seamless, so there are no cracks for cat urine to leak through.

Littermaid LM980 Mega Self-Cleaning Litter box

The Littermaid LM980 is an open-design, self-cleaning litter box which utilizes mechanized rakes to scrape waste from the box into an enclosed waste area. Although there is no cover for this box, the walls are higher than many other open litter boxes, which is great if you have a cat that won’t squat to pee.

This litter box features a padded ramp to help elderly cats or small kittens and a mat to place outside of the box to remove litter that might be stuck to paws. The large size of this litter box makes it an affordable option for multi-cat homes.

If you purchase this product, you will receive four carbon filters and four waste receptacles, but you will need to continue to repurchase these items over time. The box is large, and with the addition of the floor mat and ramp, some people might find this litter box to be bulky and somewhat of an eyesore.

Although the rake is large and somewhat intimidating looking, it has a safety bar equipped with a sensor which will stop the cleaning function if any blockage is detected. This means that the box will never self-clean if your cat is still inside it.

What we liked

Works with any kind of litter

Motor is much more reliable than some other self-cleaning litter boxes

Works well for homes with multiple cats

What we didn’t like

Litter box is not especially attractive and may take up a lot of space in a bathroom

Product requires the continued additional purchase of waste bins and filters

Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box

The Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box is a box with an interesting and uncommon method of scooping and cleaning.

One side of this litter box is a traditional square shape, while the other side is circular. The circular aspect makes it easy to roll the box back on forth on its side, which is ultimately how the scooping of clumped waste is accomplished.

Once you’ve rolled the box back and forth once or twice to accumulate clumped waste, the waste is naturally sifted into a compartment on the inside of the box which slides out for easy disposal. The box is unique in that you won’t have to kneel in front of it with a scoop to remove any waste!

This Omega litter box is a front-entry box, and works best with traditional clumping cat litter. The only color option for this litter box is a two-toned gray, but the box is unobtrusive and fits well with any home decor scheme.

What we liked

Unique self-cleaning design is great for people who hate scooping

Waste removal takes less than one minute

Can be used either without additional purchases or in conjunction with odor control additives

What we didn’t like

Latches that keep the box closed while rolling can come open unexpectedly if you’re not cautious

Rolling the litter box during cleaning can result in dust on the floor around litter box

Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan

This litter box from Catit is an oversized litter box with a swinging front-entry door for easy access. This front door is easy for both large and small cats to get into, and this box is designed to be large enough for homes with more than one cat. Users report that up to three cats can fit comfortably inside this litter box at the same time!

This box has some additional helpful features which include: a bag anchor to help keep waste disposal bags open while you do the scooping, a top handle for easy carrying or moving and an included carbon filter to reduce urine odor.

The front entryway is large enough to fit a scooper through for cleaning, but the top of the box is also easily removable via hinges on each side. These two feature make this litter box a cinch to open and clean.

What we liked

Box is roomy enough for multiple cats to use at once

Made of durable plastic and easy to wipe or clean

Multiple points of access for scooping clumps

Front flap is removable for cats who prefer an open entrance

What we didn’t like

As with any litter boxes with seams, urine leakage is a possibility

Purchase of litter box does not include liners

Bulky size might not be ideal for single-cat homes or for small kittens

Things To Consider When Purchasing a Litter Box

As you can see, features of litter boxes vary widely and are often targeted towards certain problems that cat owners and their pets might face. When shopping for your cat, it’s important to consider certain specifics to make sure you end up with the perfect fit.

What Kind of Litter Does Your Cat Prefer?

There are several kinds of cat litter available and no one type is right or wrong. Instead, there seem to be types of litter that either cats or their owners simply prefer.

Clumping litter is the most commonly-used kind of litter, and many cats seems to prefer it. Many of the boxes reviewed here only function with crystal or clay litters, so this is an important factor to consider while shopping.

If you’ve never experimented with different kinds of cat litter, perhaps it is best to contain your search to litter boxes that are best-suited for the type of litter that you know works best in your home.

What Kind of Entryway Is Best For Your Cat?

One of the single biggest reasons that a cat might reject a litter box is that the entrance is too confusing, intimidating or just unfamiliar.

Have you ever bought your cat a new toy only to have him or her show more interest in the box it came in? Many cats are inquisitive by nature and love boxes of all kinds. Top-entry litter boxes are often perfect for cats who enjoy playing with empty boxes.

If, on the other hand, your cat has only ever used front-entry litter boxes, it might be best to stick with litter boxes of that kind in order to prevent confusion.

How Old Is Your Cat?

While cats are naturally sprightly and graceful, they begin to slow down as they get older just as humans do.

If you have an elderly cat, make sure to pay careful attention to what the entrance on potentially new litter boxes are like. If it is a front-facing entrance, is it relatively low to the ground? If it is a top-entry litter box, do you think your elderly cat would be comfortable using it?

How Many Cats Will Be Using This Litter Box?

Many self-cleaning litter boxes are designed specifically for multi-cat families, while others are recommended for use by only one cat.

Ask yourself some questions about your family. If you only have one cat, do ever you consider getting another? Do you already have several wonderful feline friends? Target your search to litter boxes that specify how many pets they are intended for, otherwise your cats could be uncomfortable and reject the box.

How Do You Feel About Cleaning A Litter Box?

Finally, it’s important to consider yourself as well as your pets when choosing a litter box. You are, after all, the person who will be cleaning and maintaining it.

Many litter boxes on this list are self-cleaning and require very little maintenance. These boxes, however, rely on mechanisms and motors that can sometimes fail over time. Alternately, boxes that require you to clean do involve more effort but can be more durable for the long haul.

Ask yourself what level of effort you’re willing to put into the care of the litter box, and there is most certainly a product that will suit your particular needs.

In conclusion, there is no single perfect litter box. The process of trial and error can be a good thing, but not when it comes to spending money on litter boxes. Spending your hard-earned money on a litter box that your cat ultimately hates is an unfortunate outcome, and the purpose of the article is to help you buy the right one the first time!

The best self cleaning litter box for you is the one that you choose after weighing some simple criteria and making an informed decision. Happy shopping!